t  6  1 

MEMORIAL 


COMMISSIONERS 


THE  STATE  OF  NEW-YORK 


BEHALF  OF  SAID  STATE ; 


THE  AID  OF  THE  GENERAL,  GOVERNMENT  I? 
OPENING  A  COM  M  U  X ICATI O  Ji 

i 

BETWEEN 

THE  NAVIGABLE  WATER* 


TI'ii]- on  River  and  the  Lake's, 


December  11,  131  5. 

K<?fer'red  to  the  Committee  on  so  nuioii  uf  the  President's  wes* 
sage  a-  relates  to  Roads  assd  Canals. 


WASHINGTON 

WlfNTBD  BY  WILLIAM  A,  BA'Vtf& 
181%. 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


MEMORIAL. 


— =3<50$®©<5«e=>— 

To  the  honourable,  the  Senate  and  House  of  Re- 
presentatives of  the  United  States,  in  Congress, 
the  representation  of  commissioners  of  the  State 
of  New-York,  in  behalf  of  the  said  State, 

RESPECTFULLY  SHOWETH.... 

That  the  legislature  of  the  said  State,  in  April 
last,  passed  an  act  to  provide  for  the  improvement 
of  their  internal  navigation,  of  which  act  we  take 
the  liberty  of  transmitting  herewith  a  copy.  In 
this  it  will  be  seen  that  a  board  of  commissioners 
is  constituted,  and  that,  among  other  duties  en- 
joined upon  them,  they  are  required  to  make  ap- 
plication to  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
for  cessions,  grants  or  donations  of  lands,  or  money, 
for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  opening  a  communica- 
tion, by  means  of  canals,  between  the  navigable 
waters  of  Hudson's  river  and  lake  Erie,  and  the 
said  navigable  waters  and  lake  Champiain.  To 
fulfil  this  requisition,  then,  is  the  object  of  this  ad- 
dress. • 

Next  to  the  establishment  and  security  of  the 
right  to  self-government,  we  flatter  ourselves,  that 
no  subject  requiring  legislative  interference,  can  be 
found  more  interesting  than  the  one  which  we  are 
charged  to  lay  before  your  honourable  body.  And 
we  venture  to  solicit  your  favourable  consideration 


4 


of  it,  in  full  confidence,  that  an  enlightened  public 
spirit,  may  justly  give  to  it  such  a  measure  of  pa- 
tronage as  cannot  fail  to  produce  signal  benefits  to 
the  nation. 

The  benefits  to  be  acquired  by  the  United 
vStates,  from  the  construction  of  these  canals,  will 
most  obviously  and  immediately  affect  their  pecu- 
niary and  their  political  interests.  'More  remotely, 
indeed,  they  will  exert  a  favourable  influence  upon 
every  object  embraced  within  the  scope  of  an  en- 
lightened and  paternal  policy.  If  we  consider  the 
extent  and  fertility  of  our  territory  north-west  of 
the  Ohio — the  large  proportion  of  it,  which  yet 
remains  unsold — the  disposition  and  the  ability, 
which  our  eastern  fellow-citizens  possess  to  pur- 
chase and  to  improve  it,  we  cannot  be  insensible 
of  the  great  pecuniarv  advantage  which  would  re- 
sult from  opening  to  them  a  safe,  easy,  and  econo- 
mical passage  into  that  territory.  Every  dollar 
saved  to  them,  in  the  expenses  of  removing  thither, 
would  operate  to  enhance  the  value  of  the  public 
lands,  and  at  the  same  time,  to  hasten  their  settle- 
ment :  and  it  is  obvious,  that  a  canal  from  the  Hud- 
son to  lake  Erie  would  sav  :j  a  large  portion  of  these 
expenses.  The  number  of  persons  to  be  affected, 
by  this  consideration,  cannot  be  accurately  stated. 
It  certainly  would  not  be  small.  We  are  well  as- 
sured, that,  in  the  course  of  one  year,  since  the 
war,  more  than  twelve  thousand  new  settlers,  al- 
most exclusively  from  the  east,  have  established 
themselves  within  tBe  limits  of  this  State,  west  of 
the  Genessee  river. 

Whatever  adds  to  the  value  of  all  (hat  land 
produces  must  increase  the  value  of  land  itself. 
To  a  country,  which  depends  upon  a  distant  mar- 
ket for  the  sale  of  its  surplus  productions,  it  is  of 
great  importance  to  aJlbrd  every  possible  facility 


s 


of  transportation ;  for  all  that  is  taken  from  the 
expense  of  transportation  is  added  to  the  value  of 
the  articles  transported :  and  by  cheapening  the 
rate  of  carriage  many  articles  are  rendered  valu- 
able, which  would  otherwise  be  worthless. 

Moreover,  if  habit,  or  the  necessary  accommo- 
dation of  life,  require  that  such  a  country  should 
consume  foreign  goods  to  the  amount  of  all  its  sur- 
plus productions,  it  is  evident  that  the  land-holder 
there,  enjoys  a  twofold  benefit  in  every  increased 
facility  of  transportation.  Perhaps  the  whole  of 
the  country  between  the  great  lakes,  the  Missis- 
sippi and  the  Ohio,  (certainly  the  greater  part  of 
it.)  would  derive,  from  the  completion  of  our  princi- 
pal canal,  greater  advantages  for  distant  commu- 
nication than  any  country,  so  far  inland,  has  hither- 
to enjoyed,  and  incomparably  greater  than  that 
country  can  ever  derive  from  any  other  means. 
Regarded,  then,  merely  as  a  measure  of  pecunia- 
ry wisdom,  we  trust  your  honourable  body  will 
make  such  an  appropriation  in  favour  of  it  as  will 
ensure  its  accomplishment. 

But  considerations  of  a  political  nature  seem, 
to  us,  most  urgently  to  recommend  the  construc- 
tion of  these  canals.  The  great  influence  exer- 
cised  over  the  western  Indians,  even  in  our  own 
territory,  by  the  subjects  of  a  foreign  government, 
we  have  always  had  numerous  reasons  to  wish 
destroyed.  This  influence  depends,  materially, 
upon  establishments  erected  for  the  promotion  of 
the  fur  trade.  Any  measure  that  would  open,  be- 
tween one  of  our  se'a-ports  and  the  region  where 
furs  are  collected,  a  road,  in  all  respects  prefer- 
able to  any  other,  besides  drawing  to  our  own  citi- 
zens a  profitable  commerce,  would  tend,  eventu- 
ally, to  the  subversion  of  that  influence,  and,  in  the 
mean  time,  offer  to  us  important  facilities  for  con- 
trolling it. 


[6J 


The  trade  carried  on  between  our  country  and 
<he  Canadian  provinces  is  already  considerable, 
and  i3  rapidly  growing.  The  fruits  of  the  earth 
from  the  southern  shores  of  Erie  and  Ontario,  and 
from  the  borders  of  Charoplain,  lind  their  way  to 
the  ports  of  our  northern  neighbours  cheaper  than 
they  can  to  any,  which  offers  a  market,  of  our 
own,  and  are  there  exchanged  for  the  various  com- 
modities of  foreign  countries.  This  trade  is,  in- 
deed, profitable  to  many  of  our  citizens  who  en- 
gage in  it,  but  it  is  much  more  so  to  the  British. 
Subject  to  their  control,  they  direct  it  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  all  their  public  interests.  And  it  is 
no  mean  instrument  of  that  advancement.  It  is 
evidently  the  vital  spirit  of  their  internal  naviga- 
tion, which  it  cannot  fail  to  exalt  into  a  conse- 
quence, that  may  hereafter  greatly  affect  us. 
Would  not  the  prosecution  of  our  projects  to  com- 
plete effect,  result,  immediately,  in  giving  to  citi- 
zens of  the  United  States  the  entire  profits  of  this 
trade,  and  to  government  ail  the  security  and  in- 
fluence connected  with  a  thickly  settled  frontier, 
and  a  most  derided  superiority  of  shipping  on  the 
lakes? 

Nothing  can  be  more  certain,  than  that  the  con- 
tinuance of  our  Union  is  essential  to  our  freedom. 
The  means  of  this  continuance  are  to  be  found  on- 
ly in  the  strength  of  our  common  interests.  What- 
ever extends  and  consolidates  these  interests,  these 
must  be  of  distinguished  importance  to  govern- 
ment: and  can  any  thing  be  imagined,  more  ef- 
ficaciously conducive  to  these  objects,  than  opening 
to  distant  sections  of  our  country  the  means  of 
easy  and  profitable  intercourse  ?  Virtuous  and  en- 
lightened men,  among  us,  have  long  delighted 
themselves  with  looking  forward  to  the  period, 
when  a  canal  communication  between  the  Hudson 


7 


and  Lake  Erie  would  afford,  to  half  the  United 
States,  more  ample  means  of  promoting  every 
social  interest,  than  have  heretofore,  in  any  coun- 
try, been  furnished  by  the  accomplishment  of  any 
human  enterprise. 

The  advantages  of  canals  were  not  entirely  un- 
known to  ancient  governments.    Among  them,  the 
wisest  and  most  powerful  executed  works  of  this 
kind,  in  every  direction  through  their  territories, 
for  the  purposes  of  agriculture,  commerce,  and 
war.    The  vestiges  of  many  of  these  are  still  dis- 
coverable, and  they  are  doubtless  to  be  reckoned 
among  the  most  impressive  memorials  that  remain 
of  ancient  greatness.    W  hen  we  recollect  the  in- 
strumentality which  canals  have  formerly  exhibit- 
ed in  collecting  the  blessings  of  wealth,  strength, 
and  a  crowded  population  for   every  country 
through  which  they  passed,  and  see  those  very 
countries,  by  the  neglect  and  ruin  of  them,  redu- 
ced to  their  original  barrenness,  can  vre  suppress 
a  conviction  of  their  immense  utility?    But,  it  is 
not  alone  from  history,  and  the  faint  traces  of 
them,  which  have  survived  the  lapse  of  many  cen- 
turies, that  the  advantages  of  these  improvements 
are  to  be  known.    There  are  proofs  more  conclu- 
sive.   Our  own  times  furnish  them,    fn  contem- 
plating the  present  state  of  Europe,  it  is  impo^si 
ble  not  to  be  struck  with  the  number  and  exten; 
of  her  canals.    And  we  perceive  that  they  abound 
most  in  those-  countries  where  the  wants  of  the  so- 
cial state  and  the  moans  of  power,  have  been 
most  diligently  explored,  and  are  most. profoundly 
understood.    We  see  them  there  enabling  exten- 
sive empires  to  hold  in  speedy  administration,  to 
every  public  object,  all  the  resources  of  their  most 
remote  sections ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  increasing 
those  resources  prodigiously  by  the  economical  ex 


8 


changes,  of  which  they  are  the  occasion.  Expe- 
rience is  always  a  safe  guide.  It  is  especially  to 
be  trusted  when  it  has  been  acquired  in  the  midst 
of  difficulties  and  dangers,  and  has  been  sanctioned 
by  the  wisdom  of  different  nations.  .  If,  then,  in 
the  pressing  exigencies  of  recent  events,  when  eve- 
ry power  of  national  defence  and  annoyance  has 
been  exerted,  when  ail  the  capacities  of  men,  as 
individuals,  and  in  political  combination,  have  been 
remarkably  evolved,  we  observe  in  that  quarter  of 
the  globe,  a  perpetually  growing  attention  to  the 
subject  of  canals,  is  it  not  expedient,  is  it  not  wise, 
for  us  to  engage  in  making  them  ?  No  country 
is  more  susceptible  of  all  their  benefits  than  ours : 
none,  of  large  extent,  presents  fewer  impediments 
to  their  construction.  They  constitute  improve- 
ments peculiarly  fit  for  a  republic.  They  contri- 
bute equally  to  the  safety  and  opulence  of  the 
people,  and  the  reputation  and  resources  of  the 
government.  They  are  equally  desirable  in  re- 
ference to  the  employments  of  peace,  and  the  ope- 
rations of  war.  In  whatever  light  they  are  view- 
ed, they  seem  to  combine  the  substantial  gloiies  of 
of  the  most  splendid  and  permanent  utility. 

But  if  the  execution  of  those  of  which  we  are 
the  advocates,  be  impracticable,  or  would  in- 
volve an  expense  disproportionate  to  their  value, 
they  can  have  no  claim  upon  the  favour  of  the  na- 
tional legislature.  On  these  topics,  we  entertain 
no  doubts.  The  minute  examination  which  has 
been  made  this  season,  under  our  superintendence, 
of  all  the  lands  which  these  canals  will  traverse; 
has  convinced  us.  that  an  expenditure  not  exceed- 
ing ten  millions  of  dollars  would  be  sufficient  to 
perfect  them.  Shall  they  remain  unattempted? 
The  State  of  New-York  is  udUjwaware  of  tier  in- 
terests, nor  disinclined  to  prosecute  them  ;  .but  , 


E'6  ]  9 

where  those  of  the  general  government  are  united 
with  hers,  and  seem  to  be  paramount,  she  deems 
it  her  duty  to  ask  for  their  assistance  :  Wherefore, 
in  her  behalf,  we  solicit  your  honourable  bodv  to 
make  such  an  appropriation,  in  lands  or  money,  to 
aid  in  the  construction  of  these  canals,  as  you.  in 
your  wisdom,  may  think  reasonable  and  jttst 

By  order,  and  in  behalf  of  the  said  Commis- 
sioners, at  a  meeting  he'd  in  Albany,  on 
the  10th  of  November,  1816. 

DE  WITT  CLINTON, 

President. 


10 


[6] 


AN  ACT 

To  provide  for  the  improvement  of  the  Internal 
Navigation  of  this  State,  passed  April  17,  1816. 

1 .  Be  it  enacted,  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  New- 
York,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly,  That 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  De  Witt  Clinton,  Samuel 
Young,  Joseph  Eilicott,  and  Myron  Holley,  be, 
and  they  are  hereby  appointed  commissioners,  to 
consider,  devise,  and  adopt  such  measures  as  may 
or  shall  be  requisite,  to  facilitate  and  effect  the 
communication,  by  means  o  f  canals  and  locks,  be- 
tween the  navigable  waters  of  Hudson's  river  and 
Lake  Erie,  and  the  said  navigable  waters  and 
Lake  Cbamplain;  and  in  case  of  the  resignation 
or  death  of  any  of  the  said  commissioners,  the 
vacancy  thereby  occasioned,  shall  be  supplied  by 
the  legislature,  in  the  manner  in  which  Senators 
of  the  United  States,  from  this  Slate,  are  directed 
to  be  chosen. 

2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  com- 
missioners shall  choose  one  of  their  number,  to  be 
president  oi  their  board,  and  shall  appoint  a  fit 
person  for  their  secretary,  who  shall  be  allowed 
and  paid  such  salary  as  the  said  commissioners 
shall  deem  proper  and  reasonable:  And  the  presi- 
dent of  the  said  heard  of  commissioners,  shall  have 
power  to  Call  a  meeting  of  the  same  whenever,  in 
bis  opinion,  the  public  interests  require  it;  and  the 
said  board  may  adjourn  from  time  to  time,  to  meet 
at  any  time  and  place  they  niav  deem  mod  condu- 
cive to  the  public  good:  And  further,  The  said 
commissioners  shall  have  power  to  employ  such 
and  so  many  agents,  engineers,  surveyors,  drafts- 


11 


men,  and  other  persons,  as  in  their  opinion  may 
be  necessary  to  enable  them  to  fulfil  and  discharge 
the  duties  imposed  upon  them  by  this  act,  and  to 
aliow  and  pay  the  said  agents,  engineers,  survey- 
ors, draftsmen,  and  other  persons,  for  their  respec- 
tive services,  such  sum  or  sums  as  may  be  adequate 
and  reasonable. 

3.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  said  commissioners,  as  soon  as  may  be 
after  the  passing  of  this  act,  to  cause  those  parts 
of  the  territory  of  this  State,  which  may  lie  upon 
or  contiguous  to  the  probable  courses  and  ranges 
of  the  said  canals,  to  be  explored  and  examined 
for  the  purpose  of  fixing  and  determining  the  most 
eligible  and  proper  routes  for  the  same,  and  to 
Cause  all  necessary  surveys  and  levels  to  be  taken, 
and  accurate  maps,  field-books,  and  drafts  thereof 
to  be  made,  and  further  to  adopt  and  recommend 
proper  plans  for  the  construction  and  formation 
of  the  said  canals,  and  of  the  locks,  dams,  embank- 
ments, tunnels,  and  aqueducts  which  may  be  ne- 
cessary for  the  completion  of  the  same,  and  to 
cause  all  necessary  plans,  drafts,  and  models 
thereof,  to  be  executed  under  their  direction. 

4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  com* 
missioners,  or  a  majority  of  them,  shall  be,  and 
they  are  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  make 
application  in  behalf  of  this  State,  to  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  and  of  such  States  and 
Territories  as  may  be  benefited  by  the  said  canals^, 
or  either  of  them,  to  the  proprietors  of  lands 
through  or  near  which  the  said  canals,  or  either 
of  them,  may  or  may  be  proposed  to  pass,  to  all 
bodies  politic  and  corporate,  public  or  private,  ami 
all  citizens  or  inhabitants  of  this  or  any  other  of 
the  United  States,  for  cessions,  grants,  or  donations 
of  land  or  money,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the 


12  [  e  ] 

construction  or  completion  of  both  or  either  of  the 
said  canals,  according  to  the  discretion  of  the 
several  grantors  or  donors,  and  to  take  to  the  peo- 
ple of  this  State,  such  grants  and  conveyances  as 
may  be  proper  and  competent  to  vest  a  good  and 
sufficient  title  in  the  sa;d  people  to  the  lands  so  to 
T  e  ceded  or  granted  as  aforesaid:  and  for  the  pur- 
s  above  mentioned,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
comm  issioners  to  open  books  of  subscription 
ch  and  so  many  places  as  they  may  think  ne- 
cessary and  expedient*  and  under  such  rules  and 
regulation^  as  they  may  from  time  to  time  estab- 
lish :  And  further^  ft  shall  be  their  duty  to  ascer- 
tain whether  to  any  and  to  w  hat  amount,  and  up- 
on what  terms,  loans  of  money  may,  or  can  be 
procured  on  the  credit  of  this  State,  for  the  pur- 
poses aforesaid. 

5.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  said  commissioners  to  make,  or  cause 
to  be  made,  with  as  much  accuracy  and  minute- 
ness as  may  be,  calculations  and  estimates  of  the 
sum  or  sums  of  money  which  may  or  will  be  neces- 
sary for  completing  each  of  the  said  canals,  ac- 
cording to  the  plan  or  plans  which  may  be  adopt- 
ed and  i  ecomrnended  by  them,  for  the  construction 
or  foundation  of  the  same,  and  to  cause  the  said 
calculations  and  estimates,  and  all  surveys,  maps, 
field-books,  plans,  drafts,  and  models  authorized 
and  directed  by  this  act,  or  so  many  thereof  as 
may  be  completed,  together  with  a  plain  and 
comprehensive  report  of  all  their  proceedings 
under  and  by  virtue  of  this  act,  to  be  presented  to 
the  legislature  of  this  State  within  twenty  days 
after  the  commencement  of  the  next  regular  annual 
session  thereot. 

6.  And  be  it  farther  enacted,  That  the  treasurer 
shall,  on  the  warrant  of  the  comptroller,  pay  to 


r  6  ] 


13 


the  order  of  a  majority  of  the  said  commissioners* 
out  of  any  moneys  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise 
appropriated,  any  sum  or  sums  not  exceeding 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  and  for  which  the  said 
commissioners  shall  account  to  the  comptroller  of 
this  State. 

7.  And  he  it  further  enacted,  That  the  act  enti- 
tled "  An  act  to  provide  for  the  improvement  of 
the  Internal  Navigation  of  this  State,"  passed  the 
eighth  day  of  April,  one  thousand  ei«;ht  hundred 
and  eleven,  and  the  act  entitled  "An  act  further 
to  provide  for  the  improvement  of  the  Internal 
Navigation  of  this  State,"  passed  June  the  nine- 
teenth,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twelve,  be 
and  the  same  are  hereby  repealed. 

State  of  New-York,  > 
Secretary's  office.  ) 

I  certify  the  preceding  to  be  a  true  copy  of 
an  original  act  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State  on 
file  in  this  office. 

R.  TILLOTSON, 

Secretary  of  State 

Albany,  Nov.  13,  1816. 


